Centre Notes February 2023

Tiger – Pete Welbourn   Liege Brescia Liege 2022 John and Sue Wylie entered their 1949 TC in the Liege Brescia Liege Rally, a retrospective event following the original route of the 1950’s rallies. Driving over 2300 miles through Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and Slovenia, over as many alpine passes as possible, plus the Stelvio and Gavia in both directions just make sure!

They entered the MG event in 2020 to celebrate their 70th birthdays (that’s Sue’s, John’s and the TC’s), but covid delayed the rally for 2 years. The competitors ranged from their single TC, a TD, a TF, 2 MGA’s, more MGB’s, MGC’s, 2 Midgets and various modern F/TF’s. The entries were mainly from UK with a couple from Belgium and France.

The route had to be plotted onto the Touring Maps supplied choosing the shortest route between town or village names listed in the Roadbook. This was no easy task due to the small map scale, but a list of place names were included on the reverse of each map saving time and eye strain! The Start Time Control was in the hotel foyer each morning and Finish Time Control in the next hotel on route with up to one hour lateness allowed.

The Roadbook contained Passage Controls which consisted of photographs of a car parked in front of various historical buildings, churches, lay-bys, bus stops, road signs and even small shrines of which there were hundreds! It could be straightforward if you were on the correct road, but finding the correct road especially tracks (whites) through farmland and forests was difficult! Then there were roadworks which diverted you miles away from your intended route to the village you had to pass through.

The hotels were great 4 or 5 star with pools, spa’s, gym’s and some with spectacular views, even a converted palace in Brescia, we were taken there by our own Police Motorcycle Escorts travelling through red lights, major junctions, etc. non-stop at considerably more than 50kph!!

Many great roads, beautiful scenery and glorious weather ranging from 30c to 38c for 10 days, ideal TC driving weather!

East – Jill Thornton I am pleased to announce that we are once again welcoming local historian Dennis Chapman at the Natter on Thursday 13th April.  The talk this time is ‘an intriguing re visit to some of Hull’s lost (or are they) historical buildings’.

The Woldsway Run will take place on Sunday 14th May, starting and finishing at Cottingham Parks Golf Club. HU16 5SW. More information will be posted on the MGCC calendar of events.

It is likely that the MGCC East Yorkshire Pride of Ownership will be moved from the June Natter to the July Natter due to organiser’s holidays.

 

North – North Jeff Marsden  We were entertained by David and Carol Copeman giving us a quiz in 4 parts, themed Valentines, Dogs, Logos and Confectioneries.  Not at all easy and certainly stretched the mind.  Winners were the team of Paynes and Nunns.

Other business was discussed regarding the Yorkshire Centre AGM and future events. The March Natter meeting will be a general social event after fish and chips at The Wheatley Arms.

 

Vale of York – Rick Illingworth  The Vale of York February Natter was held at noon on the third Thursday of the month at the usual venue of The Bay Horse at Goldsborough, near Knaresborough .

15 members enjoyed the varied menu and excellent hospitality. Natter leader Rick Illingworth handed over the Natter leadership to James Thornborough who then described a few ideas for Natter events in the coming months.

 

West – David Copeman.  We had a very good February Natter night. The Award’s lunch was well attended with over 60 guests, West Natter having a full table. Eric Batchelor was awarded the Paragon Trophy for his constant support of the Natter along with manning the centre stand at Silverstone in 2022. Sophie Flanagan was awarded the Young Enthusiasts Trophy for her involvement with the clubs Young Members Group.

South – Mike Breedon  The SY Natter was well attended and forthcoming events were discussed which showed a clear way forward for quite a lot of activities and work to be done in 2023.

A few SY Natter members attended the Annual Awards and Lunch event on 19 February 2023 but unfortunately I was not able to attend. The February SY Natter took me and several other members by surprise when we learned that the MGCC Yorkshire Centre South Yorkshire Natter and some of its members had been awarded several trophies for supporting the Centre throughout 2022. The Richard Price Memorial Trophy was awarded to the South Yorkshire Natter Dales Run Committee, Malcolm Perry, Peter Long, Keith Pinder, Mike Breedon, and Paul Croft. The Airedale Trophy, awarded for outstanding contribution to the MGCC Centre, was awarded to Mike Breedon (secrecy from those who went meant the award took me by surprise at the Natter!!). In addition Stephen Dobson and Marie were also recognised and received awards for their support to the MGCC Yorkshire Centre. Thanks to Steve and Marie for collecting and handing over the trophies at the February SY Natter.

I was taken aback by the award to me specifically but very grateful to have received it. I thanked all the South Yorkshire Natter members for their support, without which I would not have been able to have provided the events we all worked on together for many other members to enjoy.

South Yorkshire Natter are once again working together to produce more events in 2023 which will be shown on the MGCC Yorkshire Centre Web site.